Vent door control mechanism



7 c. w. FRENCH VENT DOOR vCONTROL MECHANISM 2 She ets-Shee'c 1 Filed Feb. 6, 1952 M x/ wwzb A TTORNEYS.

Dec. 1, 1953 c, w, FRENCH 2,660,944

VENT DOOR CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Feb. 6, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 1, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VENT DOOR CONTROL MECHANISM Charles W. French, Alhambra, Calif.', assignor to The Studebaker Corporation, South Bend, Ind., a corporation of Delaware Application February 6, 1952, Serial No. 270,230

3 Claims.

ment to a pair of pivotal actuating arms, which actuate linkage systems rectilinearly movable in substantially transverse relation to the axis of rectilinear movement of the push-pull rod, whereby I am enabled to control the operation of remotely positioned parts actuated by the linkage systems, such as the control of cowl vent doors in an automobile or the like.

Although the mechanism which I am about to set forth is particularly adaptable for use in actuating a pair of separated and remotely positioned cowl vent doors in an automobile body or the like, it will be recognized that the features of the control mechanism of my invention are adaptable for other uses, wherein it is desired to transmit a given rectilinear motion to linkages arranged substantially transversely of the axis of said rectilinear motion as will be recognized by one familiar with the art.

The main object of my present invention is to disclose a new and improved mechanism for controlling the opening and closing movement of a pair of cowl vent doors for an automobile body or the like.

A further object of my invention is to demonstrate the features of a new and'improved cam means mounted for rotary and rectilinear motion whereby I am able to simultaneously or individually actuate and control rectilinear motion of a pair of linkage systems, actively associated therewith, in transverse relation to the path of rectilinear motion of the cam.

The above and further objects and advantages of my present invention will be recognized by one familiar with this art from the following description thereof and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic plan representation of an installation utilizing the features of my invention for controlling the opening and closing trol knob and cam means for the simultaneous c tion of the parts thereof for opening both cowl Figure 5 is a schematic end elevational view of the control mechanism of my invention illustrating the position of the operating knob and actuating cam means therein for independently actuating the left hand cowl vent door as shown in the schematic illustration of Figure l; 1, 1 Figure 6 is a plan view of my new control mechanism, showing the parts thereof in position for opening the left hand cowl vent of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is an end elevational view, similar to Figure 5, demonstrating the position of my con- ""actuation of both of the cowl vent doors illustrated in schematic Figure 1;

anism shown in Figure 1, illustrating the posi- "vent doors of Figure 1;

Figure 9 is an end elevational view similar to Figures 5 and 7, illustrating the position of the control knob and cam means associated with my new and improved control mechanism for selectively and individually operating and Opening the right hand cowl vent door illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawing;

Figure 10 is a top plan View of the control mechanism of Figure 1, showing the position of the parts therein when such are arranged to open individually the right hand cowl vent door of Figure l; I Figure 11 is a top plan view, with parts broken away, showing the control mechanism of my invention, similar to its showing in Figure l, but at an enlarged scale thereover; and

Figure 12 is a view in longitudinal cross-section taken substantially along line l2, I2 of Figure 11.

Referring now to Figures 1 through 4 of the drawings, it will be recognized that my new and improved control mechanism, indicated generally at Ill, is designed to actuate a pair of similar actuating linking systems comprising rod members i l and I2 connected with the control mech- 5 anism in a. manner to operate left and right hand movements of a pair of automotive body cowl vent doors, or the like;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of my newcontrol mechanism illustrated in the plan view Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the control mechanism shown in Figures 1 and 2, looking at such from the operator's position;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the new and improved cam means utilized in my control mechanism as illustrated in Figures 1 through 3 cowl vent doors I3 and I4, respectively.

Particularly my mechanism It] includes a main supporting bracket member 20 distinguished at one end by a pair of mounting finger portions 321,25 which extend in bifurcated relation out-- wardly from an inclined throat portion 22 bent in angular disposition from a substantially horizontal main body portion 23 of the bracket. The finger portions 2| are suitably turned downwardly and apertured adjacent their outer ends for connecting the mounting bracket 20 to the cowl panel or beneath the dashboard of an automobile or the like. Bracket 20 is further provided with a narrow front wall portion 24 turned downwardly from the upper edge of the inclined throat portion 22 thereof and intermediate the two separated finger portions 2|. A similar rear wall 25 depends, in parallel relation to wall 24, from the trailing edge of the brackets main body portion 23 and such is turned outwardly adja- Figure 8 is a top plan view of the control mechcent its lower end, to form a transverselyrelated and substantially horizontal ear portion 2% which lies in parallel offset relation to the brackets main body portion 23. preciated that the several portions of the bracket 20 described hereabove are all integrally related It will be apand best formed as a unitaryst'amping, or the" like, from sheet steel or similar sturdy materials. Further, it will be recognized that an elongated opening 2'5 is stamped out of the brackets main body and inclined throat portions and that such is disposed centrally and longitudinally thereof for purposes which will appear later herein.

The'two wall portions 24 and 25 of the bracket 2;; are provided with registeringly aligned central apertures for receiving and guiding a substantially cylindrical push-pull actuating rod 35 which rod is provided with a square cross-sec tional portion 3i intermediate its ends." The rod" 38 is further provided with an outwardly projecting stop member 32 located just to'the rear of the squared portion 3i thereof, with such stop member being aligned in transverse relation to one of the planar surfaces of'tho rods squared porti'on'ti, for reasons which will be amplified hereinafter. The stop member 32 is used to limit rectilinear motion of the rod 39,

toward the bracket 26 by interfering with the passage thereof through the apertured rear wall 215. The stop also limits rotational movement of the push-pull rod 3% by interfering with the underlying and adjacently positioned planar ear portion 265 of the mounting bracket 25 when such stop member lies adjacent the rear Wall 25 of the bracket.

The outer or rearward end of the push-pull rod 3G is provided with a manual operating knob 33 which is to be grasped by the user to impart rectilinear or rotary movement to the rod 33 inthe operation of my mechanism id, as will berecognized presently. Knob 33 is further provided with a suitable index marker 34 which is aligned with the in the properly mounted position of at the outer end of rod 30.

Adjacent the oppositeor inner end of the push-pull rod 3G is mounted my new and improved cam means 35 which is illustrated clearly in Figure 4. of the drawings. As will recog knob 33 nized from this figure, cam 35 comprises three outermost vertice or corner of each lobe, formed by the junction of the base side and hypotenuse side thereof, is suitably cut otf to form a planar surface 39 which lies in parallel relation to the longitudinal axis of the composite cam member 35. In order to mount the cam member 35'coaxial1y on the push'rod 3s, a central is provided longitudinally Cam 35 is therefore adaptable to he slipped over the inner end of rod 3e and rigidly. connected intermediate the ends of the latter toward the operating N axial opening 4!! thereof.

with its apexual end lying projecting stop member 32 4 knob 33. Rigid connection of the cam member 35'to rod 36 may be accomplished by any suitable means such as spot Welds, a key connection, or the like.

To insure proper operation of the cam 35 in response to rectilinear and rotational movement of push-pull' rod' 3G, in the particular embodiment or my invention illustrated herein, it is essential that the stop member operating knob index marker S l, and the intermediate cam lobejst be aligned in substantially coplanar relation when mounting the same in bracket 2%. Further, it will berecognized that the intermediate cam lobe 3t is'aligned immediately below the elongated central Op 3 the bracket to project thereinto and be drawn rear- Wardly by the push-pull rod 36 when my mechanism is conditioned to simultan ously actuate doors i3 andl i, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings. The cam 35 is further positioned on red 3550 that when the push rod is moved toward ,bracketZfl to bring the stop member 32 thereofagainst the brackets rear end Wall 25, the leading edge of the cam will substantially abut or contact the front wall 241 of the bracket. Thusly mounted on rod 38, it is possible, by indexing the control knob 33 and cam 35 to its Figure 5 or 9 positions, to align one of the coplanar cam lobes EEjand 571,, for guided reception in the slotted opening 2?, as will be amplified later herein.

It will be realized that the indexing or rotational movement of the push-pull rod and the cam member 35 normally takes place when the push-pail rod is at'its innermost position with the cam member lying substantially below the inclined throatportion 22 of the bracket. in order that the several indexed positions for the cam member 35 can be maintained until the push-pull rod is pulled rearwardly by the operator to bring one of the cam lobes thereof into guided engagement with the slotted opening 21,1 have provided a spring loaded detent means ti comprising a cylindrical cap i2 mounted rigidly to the main body portion 23 of the bracket in transversealignment with the longitudinal axis or movement for the push rod 3t. -The detent means ll further comprises an internal spring t3 loaded above a plug i t, or the like, the latter of which is movable through a suitable aperture formed in the brackets main body portion whereby the lower end of the plug resiliently bears against the push-pull rod and acts as a means for-engaging the flattened surfaces of the squared portion 3! of the push-pull rod to prevent accidental rotation of rod 35] when such is in its Figure 1 or "m position.

Mounted to the underside of the brackets main. body portion 23 are two'similar actuating arms 46 and 47, one positioned oneither side of the push-pull rod 3% carried by the bracket. The arms'46 and 4?" are each pivotally connected at one end to the bracket member and carried between a pair of washers 28, itby nut and bolt fastener indicated generally at Each of the actuating arms'fur ther formed as achannel stamping or the like, open along one edge, for receiving a rotatable contact roller 5il The contact rollers 59 are eachsuitably fastened to their respective actuating arms by means of an axle. rivet member 5i which is rigidly fastened to and extends transversely. betweenthe spaced Walls of thechannel shaped actuating; armfifi or 47 to which-such is attached.

, Further, it will be appreciated that the rollers 50 extend laterally outward of the actuating arms, adjacent opposite sides of the push-pull,

rod 30, so as to permit rolling engagement thereof with the camming edges or surfaces of the several cam lobes 36 through 38.

The actuating link systems H and I2 are each pivotally connected to the outer end of one, of the actuating arms 46 and ll, respectively, for actuating the vent doors I 3 and M, respectively associated therewith. It will be appreciated that each of the doors I3 and I4 is mounted in a conventional manner for pivotal actuation about a vertical pivotal axis formed by a mounting connection rod 5 2, as illustrated in particular in Figure 1 of the drawings. It further will be recognized that the outer ends of each of the link systems I! and i2 is pivotally connected to its respectively associated vent door by pivotal connectors 55 and that a spring member 51 is provided adjacent each of the pivotal connectors 55; such spring having one end anchored to its associated vent door and its opposite end anchored to a suitable supporting member, such as the automotive cowl panel or the like. Each of the springs 5'. is so designed and connected to its associated vent door as to oppose opening movement thereof.

Use and operation To utilize my control mechanism ill, heretofore described, it is essential to appreciate that such is adapted to actuate the two vent doors [3 and I i either simultaneously or individually by pulling the rod member 3i} rearwardly away from bracket is for engaging cam 35 with the contact rollers 50. Simultaneous or independent engagement of the two roller members 5d by. the cam lobes, and thus the eventual related simultaneous or independent actuation of the vent doors associated therewith via the inter- .vening linkage systems and actuating arms, is determined by the selective positioning of the cam lobes as determined by rotational movement of the operating push rod to one of three operating positions, as illustrated in Figures 5 through of the drawings. With reference to Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings, it will be observed that when cam member 35 is positioned with its coplanar cam lobes 33 and 31 in a vertical disposition, as dictated by rotary movement of the operating push rod 39 and as indicated when the knob index marking 34 appears at the left hand side of the knob to the operator, and the stop member 32 engages the ear portion 26 of bracket 28, the intermediate cam lobe 38 will be in position to engage roller 50 mounted on the left door actuating arm 46. With cam lobe 38 in this position, rearwardrectilinear movement of the actuating rod 30,. as effected by pulling the same outwardly toward the operator until such reaches its Figure 6 position, causes a responsive arcuate motion of actuating arm 46 outwardly from the bracket 20 (or in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in plan Figure 1) to rectilinearly push the linkage system H against the force of the tension spring 51 associated with the left hand vent door l3, thereby to eifect opening movement of the latter about its pivotal axis 54. hi this manner, the selective and individual opening operation of the left hand vent door I3 is carried out. Of course, it will be understood that by pushing the operating push rod 30 toward the-bracket 2,0, or from its Figure 6 position to that as shown in Figure l of the drawings, roller member 50 of the actuating arm 46 disengages with the cam lobe 38 to permit closure of vent door it as effected by the return force exerted by its associated spring member 5?.

With reference to Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings, it will be recognized therefrom that a schematic representation of the control mechanism of my invention, similar to that illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, has been set forth. As demonstrated in Figure '7, with the rotational movement of the push rod 36 to a position wherein the coplanar cam lobes 35 and 3? are substantially coplanar with arms it and ll, rectilinear movement of the push rod toward the operator or away from bracket 2! effects simultaneous opening of the two vent doors i3 and It in a manner similar to that described hereabove in connection with the individual operation of vent door I 3. However, it will be appreciated that with the cam 35 in its Figure 7 position, both of the contact rollers 55 are engaged to pivotally actuate'both or the actuatin arms 56 and 4? simultaneously in response to their rolling contact with the cam lobes 36 and 37. Simultaneous closure of the two doors [3 and it is again eifected by pushing the operating rod 35 toward the bracket 29 or away from the operator to disengage the contact rollers and the cam lobes 36 and 37 permitting spring members 5'! to efiect closure of the vent doors.

With reference to Figures 9 and 10 it will be recognized that by rotating push rod 36 so'that the index marker t l thereon appears adjacent its right hand side, as viewed by the operator and stop member 32 is engaging the bracket ear portion the mechanism is in condition for individually and independently actuating the righthand vent door it. Opening movement of vent door it is effected by pulling the push rod 38 toward the operator to engage cam lobe 38 with the roller 56 on the right door actuating arm il. Closing movement of the right hand vent door is then gained by pushing the rod 39 inwardly to disengage the cam lobe 38 from the contact roller on the actuating arm ll, permitting the latter to pivot inwardly under the urging of the spring 51 mounted to door I4.

As related to the above three described operating conditions for my mechanism it, it will be observed that when the operating push-pull rod 39 is Withdrawn to its rearward limit, one of the cam lobes rides or is guided along the slotted opening 2? formed in the bracket member 29) thereby to guide and lock the cam in its selected operating position. Prior to such rearward movement of rod 39 and the engagement of one of the cam lobes in slot 2?, the detent means t! serves to maintain cam 35 in its selected rotational position as dictated by the positioning of the index marker 3t and operating knob 33,

this by engagement of the detent plug member with one of the flat surfaces of the rods squared portion 3|. It will be appreciated that the detent M serves to maintain this pro-operational selected position in a resilient manner until the operating knob 33 is turned to index the cam member 35 to a different operational position or until such rod is pulled rearwardly by the operator to engage one of the cam lobes in the guiding slotted opening ll of the bracket member 29. It will further be appreciated that when the cam member 35 is moved rearwardly to its full limit of movement, or that is, when the push-pull rod 30. is pulled outwardly by the operator to its full extent,,the flattened surfaces-39 on the-roller -en gaging lobe portions ofthe-cam are brought-into substantial alignment withrthe vertical 'axesior rotational centers of the roller members %,thereby serving to act as a detentor holding-=means for maintaining the. vent ,doors ina fully open position against the forceof the return springsfil Thus it will be appreciated that I have illustrated and described herein a. newand improvedcontrol means for eifectingthev simultaneous or independent movements, both opening. and. .clos-. ing, of a pair of ventdoors-familiarlylfound in the sides of an automotive body cowl section. or It will be appreciated however that the-J the like. translation of rectilinear motion of-a given axis to a pair of coaxialiy aligned or offset axes, ar.-

ranged in substantial transverse relation to the. axis of the actuatingrectilinear motion, i. e.v the.

member carried by said bracket for rotational and rectilinear movement and. having three triangular shaped lobes arranged with their apexual endsadjacent, two of such lobes being arranged in coplanar relation and the third lobe being disposed transversely intermediate the said two lobes, rod means connectedaxially with said cam selectively for actuating the same rectilinearly and rotatably, a pair of actuatingarms pivotally mounted on said bracket and positionedin coplanar relation adjacent opposit sides of said cam, a contact roller rotatably mounted on each of said arms for. engagement with the lobes of said cam, apair of actuating linkages, one pivotally connected to the outer end of each of. said arms and rectilinearly movable in response to the pivotal movement of said arms, and spring means biasing said arms toward one another and said cam, whereby operation of said rod means to position said two lobes in coplanar relation with said contact rollers followed by rectilinear move- 8- rectilinear and rotarymovement of the latter as desired, spring means biasing said arms toward saidscam .to bring said rollers thereon in contact with the lobes of said cam, and linkage means connecting the outer-movable end of each of said arms with one of the vent doors, whereby thedoors .simultaneously'may be opened and closed in response to rectilinear movement of said cam in appropriate directions when the two coplanar lobes of the latter are'arranged for simultaneous engagement with said. rollers and whereby'one of of a pair of automobile cowl vent doors or the like, comprising in combination, a supporting bracket having a plate member provided with depending front and rear wall portions at opposite ends thereof, a push-pull rodmounted through said two wall portions for rotational and rectilinear sliding movement, a cam member mounted rigidly on said rod, intermediate said two wall portions, and rectilinearly movable therewith to operative and inoperative positions, said cam having three outwardly projecting, like triangular lobe members arranged with their apexes adjacent, two of the lobes being coplanar and the third lobe extending transversely intermediate thereof; a pair of actuating arms pivotally connected at one end to said brackets plate member and disposed adjacent opposite sides of said rod, a pair of contact rollers, rotatably mounted, one on each of said arms, for coplanar rotation about parallel axes related transversely I to said arms, stop meanson said rod, engageable with said bracket for limiting rotational indexing of said rod and cam when such are in their inoperative positions, detent means engageable with said rod in its said inoperative position'for selectively arresting the rotational indexing of said cam thereby to align any one of said cam lobes transversely of said brackets plate member and extending theretoward as desired,"linkage means pivotally connecting the outer'ends of each of said arms to one of the vent 'doors whereby ment of said cam in a selected direction serves to the latter are actuated in response 17 pivotal simultaneously to actuate both of said linkages movement of said arms, spring means connected against the bias of said spring means and whereto said linkage means for opposing opening moveby alternate operation of said rod means to posiment of said doors and biasing said arms toward tion said third lobe in engagement with one of Said cam, and means for locking said cam and said rollers followed by rectilinear movement of r against rotational v m n w en such are said rod in a selected direction, serves to actuate moved to their operative position wherein either one of said linkages independently of the other. both of Said alfils are pivoted w y from Sa d 2. A mechanism for controlling the opening red by engagement of d Cam lobes Witheither and closing movements of a pair of, automobile o both Of Said rollers, Comprising a S tted lo cowl vent doors or the like, comprising in combi- 131161111211 Opening formed in Said brackts p te nation, a bracket means, a pair of actuating armsv member in registering al nm nt With Said rod pivotally mounted at like ends on said bracket nd' p l s v o r ive he said one cam means and in spaced coplanar relation, a pair of lobe aligned transver ely f Said platemember" contact rollers, one mounted on each of said as saidcam is rectilinearlv moved into s per arms and extending outwardly of adjacent. sides ative' position. thereof, a cam member mounted on said bracket 1 CHARLES FRENCH means and lntermedlate said two arms for rotary and rectilinear movement, said cam having three triangular shaped lobes, two ofwhich lie in co.. References Cited in the'file of this patent planar relation and the third of which projects transversely outward of the plane of saidtwo UNITED STATES PATENTS lobes, all three lobes being arranged with, their Number Name Date apexes adjacent; a push-pull rod slidingly. at.- 1,462,776 Ubil July 24, 1923' tachedto said bracket means andmounted. co- 1,536,340 Hammer-1 May .5, 1 axially; withsaid team: for .-selectivelyi.efiecting 2 1,641,561 Whidden.. .s t...16 *19gq l 

